The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently causing debate.
Although it is comparatively readily available, it is not particularly popular.
Where does it come from?
And what does that mean for the vaccination sequence in the Weilheim-Schongau district?
We asked those responsible at the Peißenberg vaccination center.
County
- The numbers are clear.
While the vaccines from Biontech-Pfizer and Moderna are de facto inoculated immediately as soon as the deliveries arrive, according to current statistics in Bavaria alone there are currently around 200,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine unused in the warehouses.
Around 800 of them are in stock at the Peißenberg vaccination center.
However, like the administration manager of the vaccination center, Christian Achmüller, they are currently also used for initial vaccinations.
“Of course only for those for whom they are also suitable,” says Achmüller.
Because AstraZeneca vaccine may only be inoculated in Germany to people who are younger than 65.
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That's why 150 dentists and their practice staff were vaccinated with AstraZeneca in the past week.
According to the vaccination sequence, they belong to the group with the highest priority.
During this week, it is the turn of the family doctors and their staff.
It is reported again and again that medical personnel in particular would reject vaccination with AstraZeneca.
Dr.
Christoph Wittermann, the medical director of the vaccination center, cannot confirm this for the Weilheim-Schongau district: "The acceptance among medical staff is very high."
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But he does not hide the fact that the vaccinations had severe side effects over the past week.
"Around 30 percent of the visitors who were vaccinated with AstraZeneca had side effects," said Wittermann.
Headache, malaise, but also a strong fever had occurred.
"Some of these were feverish temperatures of up to 40 degrees," reports Wittermann, who as a vaccination doctor has accompanied over 100 vaccination studies.
However, the complaints had subsided after two days at the latest, complications, i.e. permanent damage, had not occurred.
The vaccinated are now doing well again, according to the expert.
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For him, the advantages of the vaccine clearly outweigh the advantages: "It protects, it is available, it is suitable for the younger generation and it can be stored without any problems." The cans that are currently in stock in Peißenberg could be kept until the end of May without refrigeration.
This is in stark contrast to Biontech, which has to be inoculated within five days, or Moderna, which can be used for 30 days, but has to be cooled at great expense.
Wittermann understands the whole vaccine debate only in rudimentary form: “When it comes to the flu vaccine, nobody asks what brand they are getting.
As a rule, the health insurance companies prescribe a preparation - it is seldom the best, but usually the cheapest on the market. "
Parts from group 3 could be preferred
Administrative manager Achmüller also made it clear once again that with the corona vaccination you don't have the choice of what you would like to have.
"As soon as the medical staff has been vaccinated, we will give appointments to people who meet the priority criteria and are younger than 65," says Achmüller.
So it could be that people from group 3 will soon be able to be vaccinated even though groups 1 and 2 have not yet been fully cared for.
No vaccine choices
Anyone who then refuses to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca "has the right to do so and is welcome to wait a few more months".
Then, however, it is extremely likely that he will only be offered AstraZeneca again.
“In the end, you just waste time,” says Achmüller.
By the way, nine weeks have to pass between the first and second vaccination with AstraZeneca - not 21 days as with Biontech or 28 days as with Moderna.
In the end, the only question left is: Would Achmüller get himself vaccinated with AstraZeneca?
He ponders for a while and then says: "If I had the choice of risking a high fever for two days if I get vaccinated or, under certain circumstances, to fight for my life in the intensive care unit if I am not vaccinated, have corona and Complications arise - yes, then I like to use AstraZeneca. "